AT&T is expected to offer unlimited 3G calling for the iPhone for $20 or less using its new 3G MicroCell device. The device works in regions that are currently dead to AT&T's network. (Source: Engadget Mobile)

There are few major pieces of news to report with the
iPhone. The first is the new 3G MicroCell appliance from
AT&T, a device that provides local 3G to the many spots across
the nation that are dead to AT&T's 3G network.

The device
has not yet received a price, but the rumors are already flying about
a possible
iPhone tie-in. Engadget Mobile and others claim that
AT&T will offer unlimited MicroCell iPhone calling for $20 a
month. Reportedly with AT&T Internet, the fee drops to $10
a month, and with AT&T Internet and landline service it goes away
entirely. Reportedly the device will also support 3G data and
text message transmission under existing plans.

Currently,
AT&T offers iPhone service plans for $60 for 450 daytime rollover
minutes, $80 for 900, $100 for 1350, or $120 for unlimited.
Using the new service users may be able to save money by opting for a
cheaper plan and calling from their home location. It is
unclear, though, whether the device would first burn through the
users' rollover minutes, or whether it would start in unlimited
mode.

The second big piece of iPhone news is
that Apple has reportedly opened
an investigation into why some users with OS v3.1-equipped
iPhones are experiencing poor
battery life. Reportedly, AppleCare teams are emailing
customers lists of 11 questions and an app that tracks and reports
battery life to Apple.

One key issue is whether the battery
life is truly bad, or whether the OS's battery indicator is merely
faulty. Describes one of the reported questions,"When you
notice a power drop, does it seem to be a legitimate power drop, or
rather an issue with the battery icon indicator?"

Apple
is reportedly emailing users who complain about battery life on its
forums. The company is warning customers that install the
application not to sync their phones as the battery logs it creates
are very large. They suggest disabling it after Apple has
received their information.

Its unclear exactly when or how
Apple might use the feedback to improve the iPhone's OS, but its
certainly good to see the company taking action on this reported
issue.

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This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

That could be said about any carrier's coverage. I get better coverage with Boost over Verizon. Freaking Boost is better than Verizon!!!! I was getting one bar at my home with Verizon, 4 bars with Boost.

It just kills me when peopls say, "I'm not going to switch to ATT because of bad service in my area."

Guess what? You can replace ATT in the above sentence with any carrier. Period.

Let me know when Boost is better in your area than ATT. That would be something to talk about.